Psalms 145:1-21 - Homilies By S. Conway

The Te Deum of the Old Testament.

So this glorious psalm has been fitly named, and it is the germ of that great Christian hymn. "It is one, and the last, of the acrostic, or rather the alphabetic psalms, of which there are eight in all. Like four other of these, this bears the name of David, although some are of opinion that in this case the inscription is not to be trusted" (Perowne). One letter of the Hebrew alphabet—nun—is omitted; how this came to be, we cannot tell; the Septuagint, however, and other ancient versions (with one Hebrew manuscript) supply the omission thus: "The Lord is faithful in his words, and holy in all his works." The Jews were accustomed to say that "he who could pray this psalm from the heart three times daily, was preparing himself best for the praise of the world to come." It is the first and chief of the praise-psalms with which the whole Book of Psalms terminates. We have left the region of sighs and tears and piteous entreaties, and are, as one says, in the Beulah land, where the sun shineth night and day. How like it is to the life of many a child of God! There have been many long and weary years of vicissitudes and trials, and sorrows of all kinds, but at eventide there is light. As life went on it was a mingled strain that was heard, but now at its close it is all joy and peace. So is it in this Book of Psalms; so is it with many of God's beloved ones; so, when our eventide comes, may it be with us! And now let us notice—

I. THE VARIOUS ELEMENTS WHICH ENTER INTO THE HIGH PRAISE OF GOD which this psalm sets forth. Note:

1. Its different forms .

2. The object of all this high praise .

3. Fixed resolve . Four times in these two opening verses we have the words, "I will;" and so again (verses 5, 6). Praise, like faith, is very much a matter of the will. We are prone to make it dependent upon the emotions. If we feel happy, then we sing praise easily; but if we do not thus feel, then praise falters and dies. But let us remember that the dominant faculty in our nature is not feeling, but will. When God says, "My son, give me thine heart," he means not the feelings, but the will, and if that be ever on God's side, everything else will soon fall into its proper position. Let the will be right, the feelings will soon give way.

4. Its continuousness and permanence . " Every day will I," etc. Not only the bright days, but the dark ones. Praise, like prayer, must be a habit, a constant practice, or we shall fall out of both its use and blessing altogether. And this habit must be permanently maintained. "Forever and ever" (verses 1, 2). Here is the real test and trial of the religious life. Many are induced to begin, but, alas, how many show that they have no staying power! They get cold and indifferent, and after a while break away altogether. But the earnest, impassioned soul of the psalmist resolved that his praise of God should be every day, and forever and ever.

II. THE GROUNDS ON WHICH THIS PRAISE IS BASED . There are three divisions in this psalm, and each one tells of one special reason for this fervent praise of God.

1. In the first seven verses it is the greatness of the Lord . (Verse 3.) And when one thinks of the seemingly irresistible might of the manifold forces of evil, our hearts are apt to die down; but how greatly are they cheered and strengthened when we call to mind and do firmly believe in that greatness of God against which all these forces hurl themselves in vain!

2. Then next (in verses 7-16), the tender ' mercies of the Lord are celebrated . When the soul thinks of them, what can it do but perpetually praise and bless the Lord?

3. And last of all (from verse 17), the righteousness of the Lord is the theme of thanksgiving. Without this even his tender mercies would be shorn of well-nigh all their preciousness, it is because we have a righteous salvation that our heart is glad.

III. ITS EXCEEDING BLESSEDNESS .

1. Many forget this . They pray to God, but too often fail to praise him. We say our prayers more often than we sing our praises. But this is wrong.

2. God deserves and delights in our praise . Love ever loves the response of love; and in regard to God, such response takes the form of praise.

3. And it is powerful in its influence with others . If they see that our God is one who fills our heart with joy, will not they be led to desire and to seek him?

4. And for ourselves its effect is as blessed as it is powerful . It gives us confidence before God, joy in the heart, drives away fear, prepares us for heaven, cheers us in all the work of life and amid its darkest trials.—S.C.